Are the Packers in the playoffs? You better believe they are.
From 2-5 at the end of October to a spot in the divisional round, no team in the NFL had a midseason turnaround in 2023 quite like the Green Bay Packers. With one of the best young QBs in the NFL, a recently resurgent running attack, and an underrated defensive unit, the Cheeseheads are a popular sleeper pick to make the Super Bowl, and for good reason.
Today, we’ll be looking back at 10 essential moments that helped the Packers secure an unlikely playoff appearance.
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- Quay Walker to the House vs Bears: Week 1
All the way back in September, a Green Bay Packers playoff run seemed plausible. The team started the regular season with a bang. Walking into Soldier Field, Jordan Love and co, remained in firm control from the opening snap. Up three scores early in the 4th quarter, it was the 2022 1st round pick Quay Walker who sealed the game with an incredible pick six on Justin Fields, trucking running back Roschon Johnson as he romped 37 yards into the endzone.
- Love and Doubs Complete Comeback vs Saints: Week 3
Following a disappointing 4th quarter collapse against the Falcons in week 2, the Packers responded with an immaculate comeback of their own the following Sunday. Down 17-0 vs New Orleans, Green Bay scored all 18 of their points in the final 11 minutes, capping it off with an incredible 1v1 touchdown snag by Romeo Doubs over Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom to take the lead.
- Musgrave seals much-needed W vs Rams: Week 9
In the midst of a four-game slide and sitting at 2-5 when the Packers’ path to the playoffs appeared hopeless, the team desperately needed a win to keep their slim post-season ambitions alive. Luckily, with Matthew Stafford out for the Rams, Green Bay had a relatively easy time shutting down the LA offense. And in the final minutes of the 4th, it was Luke Musgrave who put the game to bed with a 20-yard TD off an incredible play call with fakes to both flats.
- Romeo Doubs vs Chargers Week 11
With both teams desperately fighting to stay in the playoff race, the Packers’ week 11 showdown against the Chargers was a great back-and-forth game. Needing to drive 75 yards for a TD in the final five minutes, Green Bay put together perhaps their most clutch drive of the season, ending it with a beautifully lofted ball from Jordan Love to Romeo Doubs for the game-winning 24-yard score.
- Jonathan Owens fumble Return vs Lions Week 12
On Thanksgiving Day, the Packers marched into Ford Field searching for a win. And, after a pair of TDs on their first two drives, Green Bay led 14-6 with Detroit moving down the field. Then, Rashan Gary hit Jared Goff on a pass attempt that at first glance looked incomplete. But, linebacker Jonathan Owens had the forethought to run it back into the endzone just in case. The decision ended up paying off big time, as further review confirmed it was a fumble by Goff, putting the Packers firmly in control of the game.
- Isiah Pacheco Stuffed at the Line vs Chiefs Week 13
In what ended up being Green Bay’s most important win of the season and keeping the Packers chance of making the playoffs alive, it was this team effort that kept Isiah Pacheco out of the endzone on a two-point conversion that ended up seriously turning the tide. Because of this stop, the Chiefs ended up going down nine, and couldn’t tie the game off a Noah Gray TD later in the 4th.
- Keisean Nixon picks Mahomes Week 13
Down five with five minutes remaining and the ball at midfield, it seemed destined that Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City would drive down the field and tie the game with ease. But, just three plays into the drive, Packers corner Keisean Nixon read this play to Skyy Moore perfectly, almost playing receiver to snag the critical interception.
- Anders Carlson for the win vs Carolina Week 16
In what many expected to be a cakewalk against a woeful Panthers squad, the Packers ended up in a high-scoring dogfight that went right down to the final seconds.Luckily, Jordan Love had multiple big throws on an impressive final drive, setting up Anders Carlson for the game-winning field goal with just 22 seconds on the clock.
- Preston Smith strip sack + Reed herculean TD Week 17
Needing back-to-back wins versus their divisional rivals to make the playoffs. The Packers started things off by demolishing the Vikings in Minnesota. Down 17-3 in the final minute of the half, the Vikings were looking to get more points on the board before Preston Smith burst off the edge and came through with a huge strip sack. Then, 20 seconds later, Jayden Reed found the endzone with a herculean effort to put the game firmly out of reach.
- 10.Love to Reed Clincher vs Bears Week 18
Finally, in a win-and-your-in scenario versus the Bears at home, Jordan Love found Jayden Reed for an immaculate 59-yard play up the sideline to help the Packers make it an 8-point game late in the 4th quarter. Green Bay’s defense managed to hold on, securing the Packers a wild card berth that seemed almost impossible just a few months earlier.
